The Icarus X series takes to the skies around Golden Gate

Those in the area of the Golden Gate National park should look to the skies this weekend as the Icarus X Race series has launched in the region pitting 14 adventurous paramotor pilots against one another in an aerial race that will only end on Saturday evening.

Organised by the Adventurists, in partnership with Parajet Africa, this weekend’s race will see participants follow a stunning 350km two-day course that takes off on Friday the 17^th from Bethlehem Aerodrome From there pilots will follow a roughly circular route skimming the Lesotho border and flying over the Golden Gate National Park, giving racers unique views of the Maluti Mountains and their wildlife, before finishing at Clarens’ Golf Course on Saturday evening.

The pilots are all tracked and their take-off and landing times at the start and finish line are recorded.  In addition, they have to land at checkpoints along the way, and they must prove with a stamp that they have landed and got to the checkpoint.  For Race Class pilots, they must do the whole thing without support.  If they need to undertake repairs to their engine or wing, they must do it without help.  For Adventure Class, the rules are less strict and they can receive support – Adventure Class pilots will take longer and go about the route in a very different way.

There is a trophy for each division – for Race Class, it’s the fastest time flown.  For Adventure Class, it’s the furthest distance flown in the total time available for the adventure.  For them, it’s less about the racing, and more about the adventures they experience along the way.  The pilots take off at different times, but the time of first take off, and final landing at the finish are recorded so the organisers can see the fastest total time.

According to race organisers the route this year is spectacular as The Adventurists have, with the help of their partner in South Africa, Parajet Africa, got permissions for the pilots to fly over Golden Gate National Park on the border of Lesotho.

“It’s some stunning scenery with some challenging terrain and thermals to fly over, which makes it a very interesting race route.  For amateurs who want to take their paramotoring skill to the next level, taking on an adventure such as this is the next obvious step,” says race series MD Jenny Hunter.

“Many of the pilots who flew adventure class last year are back this year in race class having upped their game and put in the hours practising.  And if you love the sport, and want to push yourself to be better, then this is the perfect goal to give yourself.   The uniqueness of it comes in the format of the race.  Pilots are challenged to fly with their camping out gear, they must set up camp, they must land to refuel and they must take on the challenges of differing air density, thermals and takeoff/landing terrain.  It’s a technical challenge of their skill, and that’s what makes it interesting for someone who loves the sport,” adds Hunter.

From here the race series heads to the UK on the 21st and 22^nd of June, before taking off for America, Brazil and Australia. Pilots who then want to move to the next level can enter into the Icarus Trophy, a full-blown 10-day version of the X Series, which will next take place in Brazil

Eager viewers should head to the great tracking app, which allows everyone to follow the participants’ progress.

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